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Probation and parole are two alternatives to incarceration in a jail or prison, which many people strongly prefer. Probation is used in lieu of jail time, whereas parole is granted only after part of the jail sentence has been served.

In addition to allowing you to keep a number of your freedoms that you would not have in jail, these program allows you to remain with your family and potentially even condense your sentence to a much smaller one. However, both require you to adhere to a strict set of standards and regulations, or else you could find yourself in violation and in even more hot water with the criminal justice system. Let’s take a look at what happens if you violate your probation.

COMMON VIOLATIONS

When you are given probation as a sentence by your judge, you will be assigned a probation officer, who will set forth several rules you will be required to follow at all times. These rules frequently include regular meetings, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and following all laws (even a speeding ticket can get you in serious trouble if you are on probation).

If you are found to have violated one of your rules, the consequences will be based on several factors, including the seriousness of your violation and whether or not you have violated your probation before.

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

Some of the possible consequences of violating your probation can include:

• Warning: for low-level violations, particularly if it is your first violation, your officer may opt to give you a warning to prevent the judge from having a bigger caseload. They may warn you about future consequences, but if you keep your nose clean for the rest of your probation period, you shouldn’t have an issue.
• Community service: You may be required to complete a certain number of hours of community service if you violate the terms of your probation.
• Rehabilitation: If you partook in drugs or alcohol while on probation or you fail a drug test, you may be ordered to go to rehabilitation for a certain period. Refusing could cause you to wind up in jail.
• Fines: If you violation your probation, you may be required to pay an additional fine separate from any other fines that may be imposed by the charges that initially had you put on probation.
• Jail: Serious or repeated violations of probation could result in an individual being sent to jail and having their freedom revoked temporarily. This can be used as a punishment for bad behavior, but in other more serious cases the judge may opt to revoke probation entirely and send you to jail for the remainder of your sentence.
• Increased Probation: If your probation officer does not believe you are ready to re-enter society without supervision, they may choose to increase your probationary period, during which time you will once again have to continue to follow the terms of your original probation.
• Other consequences: Some other consequences can include required counseling sessions, new criminal charges, and a possible hearing with the court regarding your violation.

If you or a loved one are in need of legal representation for one of these hearings or are facing criminal charges, you should not hesitate to contact a skilled New Braunfels criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable lawyer from Kyle Law Firm are well-versed in helping clients through all types of criminal charges, both misdemeanor and felony, and may be able to help you avoid the harshness of the Texas criminal justice system. We are highly experienced in defending our clients both in and out of the courtroom, and can serve you as a staunch, dedicated ally throughout your criminal trial procedure.

Get assistance with your case today by calling Kyle Law Firm at 830-620-9402 and requesting a free consultation.